Web-based universal remote control

ABSTRACT

A universal remote control apparatus that is programmable with software supplied by manufacturers of controllable devices so that a single remote control apparatus has a broad spectrum application capable of operating many different controllable devices. The remote control apparatus is based in a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) having sufficient memory to store the requisite software from a multitude of controllable devices and is operable to send or receive signals to the controllable devices by radio signal or by infra red beam. The remote control apparatus can be coupled to a personal computer to download the requisite software into the memory of the PDA, which can come via software supplied with the controllable device or by accessing the manufacturer&#39;s web site and downloading the necessary software therefrom. The display screen of the PDA can then be customized to replicate any control functions with a touch screen actuation control buttons.

Four reissue applications have been filed for the reissue of U.S. Pat.No. 6,989,763. The reissue applications are application Ser. Nos.12/019,370 (the present application); 12/019,390; 12/019,399; and12/019,417, each of which is a voluntary divisional reissue of U.S. Pat.No. 6,989,763.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to remote control devices forcontrolling electrical or electronic devices, such as televisions,stereos, light switches and hot tubs and, more particularly, to auniversal remote control apparatus that is programmable through thedownloading of software from the computer or from the Internet to permitthe remote control apparatus to control any controllable device.

Remote controls are operable through either radio frequency or an infrared link to transmit control signals to the device to be controlled.Each manufacturer of a controllable device provides its own remotecontrol apparatus for the device to be controlled. Many electrical orelectronic devices are capable of being controlled remotely, includingtelevisions and stereos, but also light systems, hot tubs, ceiling fansand home entertainment centers. Accordingly, it would not be unusual fora household to have multiple remote control devices each one beingoperable to provide a remote control of a different device. Theproliferation of remote controls further contemplates their usage as thehomeowner becomes confused as to how each remote control device operatesor how the control device is to be programmed.

Some manufacturers provide a universal remote control device that isoperable to control the operation of more than one electrical orelectronic device. By properly programming such a universal remotecontrol device, the remote control can provide different controlfrequencies or provide the proper control signals via an infra red beamto effect the remote control of at lest two devices, however, all suchdevices will be operated by radio frequency or by infra red.Furthermore, universal remote control devices are known to be difficultto program and to utilize.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a remote control devicethat is truly universal in that the remote control device would beoperable to control every controllable device whether operable by radiosignal or infra red beam.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to overcome the aforementioneddisadvantages of the prior art by providing a universal remote controlapparatus that is programmable by downloading software from a computeror Internet site.

It is another object of this invention to provide a remote controlapparatus that is universal in operation by being capable of sendingcontrol signals by radio or by infra red.

It is a feature of this invention that the remote control apparatus hasa memory that can store the control programming for many differentcontrollable devices.

It is an advantage of this invention that the remote control apparatusis connectable to a computer to receive software downloaded therefrom.

It is another advantage of this invention that the remote controlapparatus will be able to replace all other remote control devices.

It is another feature of this invention that the remote controlapparatus has a display screen for which control buttons can bedisplayed for each controllable device for which remote control isdesired.

It is still another advantage of this invention that the display screencan be customized by downloadable programming to mimic themanufacturer's remote control apparatus.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a remote controlapparatus that can receive and store software defining the controlfunction of multiple controllable devices.

It is still another feature of this invention that the remote controlapparatus can learn control signals from a conventional infra red remotecontrol apparatus.

It is yet another feature of this invention that the remote controlapparatus can provide confirmation of the implementation of the controlcommand that has been issued by receiving a response code from thecontrollable device.

It is still another advantage of this invention that the software loadedinto the remote control apparatus can be edited to permit theinformation to be tailored to the specific needs of the operator.

It is yet another feature of this invention that the downloading ofsoftware into the remote control apparatus from a comparator can beutilized to display identical information on the screen of the computeras on the display screen of the remote control apparatus to allowtesting and verification of the final programming into the remotecontrol apparatus.

It is a further feature of this invention that a Personal DigitalAssistant (PDA) serves as the host for the remote control apparatus.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a remote controlapparatus based on the architecture of a Personal Digital Assistant witha broad spectrum application in both infra red and radio signal toprovide a universally utilizable remote control functions.

It is yet another advantage of this invention that the remote controlapparatus can have a sealed housing that can be attached to aflotational device to allow the remote control apparatus to float on thesurface of water, such as in a hot tub.

It is still a further advantage of this invention that the remotecontrol apparatus can receive programming from software loaded through acomputer, by connecting the remote control apparatus to themanufacturer's web site to download the requisite software into theremote control apparatus, or by receiving control signals from aconventional infra red remote control apparatus in a learn mode ofoperation.

It is yet a further object of this invention that the remote controlapparatus has the ability to both send and receive multiple frequenciesvia radio signal, as well as by infra red beam.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a remote controlapparatus that is durable in construction, inexpensive of manufacture,carefree of maintenance, facile in assemblage, and simple and effectivein use.

These and other objects, features and advantages are accomplishedaccording to the instant invention by providing a universal remotecontrol apparatus that is programmable with software supplied bymanufacturers of controllable devices so that a single remote controlapparatus has a broad spectrum application capable of operating manydifferent controllable devices. The remote control apparatus is based ina Personal Digital Assistant (PAD) having sufficient memory to store therequisite software from a multitude of controllable devices and isoperable to send or receive signals to the controllable devices by radiosignal or by infra red beam. The remote control apparatus can be coupledto a personal computer to download the requisite software into thememory of the PDA, which can come via software supplied with thecontrollable device or by accessing the manufacturer's web site anddownloading the necessary software therefrom. The display screen of thePDA can then be customized to replicate any control functions with atouch screen actuation control buttons. Switching from one controllabledevice to another is a simple mater of accessing a menu containing thelist of the controllable devices for which software has been loaded.Utilizing a watertight housing for the PDA and attaching a flotationaldevice to the hosing can enable the remote control apparatus to befloated on the surface of the water in the event the remote control isto be used in a hot tub or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages of this invention will become apparent upon considerationof the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA) adapted to perform as a universal remote control apparatusincorporating the principles of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom end view of the PDA depicted in FIG. 1 toshow the power port and the data port;

FIG. 3 is a schematic top end view of the PDA depicted in FIG. 1 to showthe light emitting diodes (LED) for transmitting and receivinginformation to and from a controllable device by infra red beam;

FIG. 4 is a schematic elevational view of a PDA universal remote controlapparatus positioned in a docking cradle to receive downloadablesoftware from a connection with a computer and to charge the batteriesif rechargeable batteries are utilized in the PDA;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view of a PDA universal remote controlapparatus demonstrating dual operation via radio signal and infra redbeam;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the PDA universal remote controlapparatus depicting the downloading of software from a memory storagedevice, such as a CDROM;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the PDA universal remote controlapparatus depicting the downloading of software from a manufacturer'sweb site or the Internet;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of a PDA universal remote controlapparatus operated in a learn mode to receive coded control signals fromthe infra red transmitting function of a standard infra red remotecontrol apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side elevational view of a flotational deviceadapted to receive a PDA universal remote control apparatus to permitthe apparatus to float on the surface of water; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic end view of the flotational device shown in FIG.7 with a transparent window incorporated to permit the passage of theinfra red beam from the PDA universal remote control apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the utilization of a Personal DigitalAssistant (PDA) to host a universal remote control apparatus 10 can bestbe seen. The remote control apparatus 10 is manufactured with a casing11 in which a display screen 15 of generally conventional constructionis housed. The casing 11 also mounts control buttons 14 for directionalmovement of a cursor on the display screen 15 and for the entry ofcommands, as well as a power on/off button 14a, all of which are wellknown and of conventional design and construction. One end 12 of thecasing 11 includes a power port 16 and a data port 18 through which datacan be transmitted via a cable 25 connected to a personal computer 30 orother data storage device. Contrary to conventional PDA design, theopposing end 13 of the casing 11 is configured with infra red diodes(LED's) 19a, 19b for the transmission and receipt of data via an infrared beam, as is known in conventional remote control apparatus. As withconventional PDA devices, the interior of the casing 11 is provided withmemory storage devices (not shown) and a microprocessor (not shown) forexecuting software programming.

As is depicted in FIG. 4, the remote control apparatus 10 can preferablybe supported in a docking cradle 20 which couples with both the powerport 16 and the data port 18. The docking cradle 20 is preferablyconnectable to an AC electrical power supply via the power adapter andcord 22 to provide a source of electrical power to the remote controlapparatus 10 connected to the docking cradle 20. Preferably, the remotecontrol apparatus 10 is adapted to utilize rechargeable batteries whichwill be recharged while connected to the docking cradle 20 plugged intoAC current. The docking cradle 20 is also provided with a data transfercable 25, preferably having a USB connector 26 that will connectdirectly to a personal computer 30. The data cable 25 could also connectdirectly to the data port 18 instead of through the docking cradle 20.The docking cradle 20 would have typical power buttons and indicatorLED's 23 and a button 24 for initiating the transfer of data into thePDA universal remote control apparatus 10.

Internally of the casing 11, the remote control apparatus 10 is alsoprovided with a radio signal transmitter (not shown) as is known inconventional remote control devices. As is depicted in FIG. 5, theremote control apparatus 10 is operable to send and receive data andcommands via the infra red diodes 19a, 19b, and to send and receivecontroller commands via radio signal at multiple frequencies at whichconventional remote control devices are operable, thus providing a broadspectrum application. As is noted below, the receive LED 19b can be usedto learn commands from a conventional remote control device 35, or toverify on the display screen 15 that the function selected has beenproperly initiated via a return signal from the remote apparatus beingcontrolled.

The remote control apparatus 10 is operable to store programming in thememory storage devices. The programming defines the manner in which theremote control apparatus 10 will operate. The programming for manydifferent remote devices that are to be controlled can be stored in thememory storage devices within the remote control apparatus 10. Theprogramming can be loaded into the memory storage devices in a number ofdifferent ways. As depicted in FIG. 6, one way for the programming to beloaded into the remote control apparatus 10 would be for themanufacturer of the machine or device to be controlled to provide acompact disk (CD) 27 with the proper programming stored thereof. The CD27 could then be loaded into a personal computer 30 which is coupled viathe data cable 25 to the remote control apparatus 10 either directly orvia the docking cradle 20.

Probably the most effective manner in which the programming can beloaded into the remote control apparatus 10 would be via a web site 33established by the manufacturer of the machine or device to becontrolled as is depicted in FIG. 7. The web site 33 would be accessiblevia the Internet and could be updated by the manufacturer as needarises. As with the programming loaded on the CD 27, the download of theprogramming from the manufacturer's web site can be loaded into theremote control apparatus 10 via the data cable 25. Preferably, theremote control apparatus 10 will have a broad spectrum application andwill also be operable as conventional remote control devices, as isdepicted in FIG. 8, to receive data or commands from a conventionalremote control device 35 through the infra red receiver 19b so that theremote control apparatus 10 can “learn” the requisite commands from anold remote control device 35.

Once loaded, the programming will provide a control panel 50 on thedisplay screen 15 in the form of touch screen buttons or icons 52 toprovide the manufacturer's control functions for the machine or deviceto be controlled. The programming will also define the manner in whichthe remote control apparatus 10 is to communicate with the machine ordevice to be controlled, i.e. whether control commands are to bebroadcast via radio signal, and the frequency at which the signal is tobe broadcast, or whether the control commands are to be sent via aninfra red beam through the transmitting diode 19a. Preferably, theremote control apparatus 10 will have the built-in capability to allowthe owner to modify the control panel 50 of touch screen button 52 onthe display screen 15. In this manner the remote control apparatus 10can truly be customized at the desire of the owner.

When multiple machines or devices are to be controlled through theremote control apparatus 10, the boot-up screen to be displayed on thedisplay screen 15 when the remote control apparatus 10 is firstpowered-up should be a menu of the machines or devices that can becontrolled. By selecting the desired machine or device, the remotecontrol apparatus 10 will load into operation the programming for theselected machine or device, as customized by the owner, to display thetouch screen buttons or icons 52 for the functions to be controlled onthat particular selected machine or device. Returning to the menuscreen, other machines or devices could be selected allowing the remotecontrol apparatus 10 to toggle from one control mode to another. Foreach control mode, corresponding to a particular machine or device to becontrolled, the display screen 15 will provide the control panel 50 thatis peculiar to the machine or device that was selected. Each controlpanel 50 can be completely different from each other control panel 50 tobe displayed on the display screen 15.

For example, a homeowner could have electrical switches installed in hishouse, a hot tub, a television, a stereo and a ceiling fan, all of whichare capable of having functions thereof controlled through a remotecontrol device. The homeowner places the remote control apparatus 10into the docking cradle 20 and connect the docking cradle 20 to hispersonal computer 30 on which he accesses the manufacturer of each ofthe above-identified devices and downloads programming for eachparticular device into the remote control apparatus 10. The homeownerthen takes the remote control apparatus 10 to the room in his house inwhich all of theses devices are situated. Powering up the remote controlapparatus 10 and selecting the hot tub on the menu screen, the homeownercan touch the on/off button or icon 53 on the control panel 50 displayedon the display screen 15 and turn-on the hot tub by a radio signaltransmitted by the remote control apparatus 10 that communicates withthe power switch on the hot tub. The homeowner can then re-access themenu screen and select the television selection which then loads theappropriate programming into the microprocessor and displays a controlpanel 50 for the television. Touching the proper control panel button 53to initiate power into the television results in a command beingtransmitted via the infra red beam through the transmitter diode thatcommunicates with the power switch of the television. The softwareprogramming defines the mode of the command signal to be transmitted tothe remote apparatus.

Similarly, the same remote control apparatus 10 can be manipulated todisplay a control panel 50 for the light switches to dim the lights, forexample, and, on a separate display screen, to control the operatingspeed of a ceiling fan. For devices, such as lighting switches andceiling fans, that do not have a large number of control buttons, theremote control apparatus 10 could be operable to display on the displayscreen 15 more than one control panel 50 at a time, such as on a splitscreen. By using the control buttons 14 on the remote control apparatus10, the control panels 50 and other touch screen icons 52 for differentdevices and different functions can be toggled through from one toanother. Such a remote control apparatus 10 would be truly a universalremote control capable of controlling every remotely controlled machineor device for which the programming can be loaded into the memorystorage devices and executed by the microprocessor, or which can be“taught” from a conventional infra red remote control device.

As depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, the remote control apparatus 10 ispreferably manufactured with a watertight casing 11 that can be fittedto sit into a buoyancy holder 40 that will enable the remote controlapparatus 10 to float on the surface of water, such as would beconvenient for use in a hot tub, for example. The remote controlapparatus 10 would preferably press fit into the top portion of thebuoyancy holder 40 so as to fit snugly within the cavity 43 provided onthe top thereof. One of the upright walls 42 of the cavity 43 isprovided with a transparent window 45 which wold align with thetransmitter and receiver diodes 19a, 19b to enable the remote controlapparatus 10 to communicate with the requisite machines or devices viaan infra red beam. The remote control apparatus 10 can then be removedfrom the buoyancy holder 40 when use over water is not desired.

It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps andarrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated toexplain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made bythose skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within theprinciples and scope of the invention. The foregoing descriptionillustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however,concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in otherembodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. A universal remote control apparatus comprising: a casing; memorystorage unit housed within said casing operable to store softwareprogramming corresponding to multiple remote devices to be controlled bysaid universal remote control apparatus; a microprocessor housed withinsaid casing and being cooperable with said memory storage unit toexecute said software programming; a display screen capable ofdisplaying touch screen buttons operable to initiate commands to saidmicroprocessor for operation of said software programming, said displayscreen being operable to display touch screen buttons corresponding tomore than one remote device simultaneously; an electrical power deviceto provide electrical power for operating said microprocessor; a datatransfer device operable coupled with said microprocessor fortransferring data, including software programming, from a remote sourceto said microprocessor for storage in said memory storage unit; and acontrol command transmitter to provide simultaneous functionality inthat said control command transmitter is operable to transmit saidcommands to multiple remote devices simultaneously via said infra redbeam transmitter and said radio signal transmitter, as well as beingoperable to transmit said commands at multiple radio frequenciescorresponding to multiple said remote devices, to control selectivelythe operation of said remote devices individually as well assimultaneously.
 2. The universal remote control apparatus of claim 1wherein said microprocessor can display a menu on said display screen topermit selection of one or more of said multiple remote devices storedwithin said memory storage unit.
 3. The universal remote controlapparatus of claim 2 further comprising a docking cradle for receivingsaid universal remote control apparatus, said docking cradle including adata transfer cable to interconnect said data transfer device and saidremote source.
 4. The universal remote control apparatus of claim 3wherein said electrical power device includes rechargeable batteries,said docking cradle including a power adapter for recharging saidrechargeable batteries.
 5. The universal remote control apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said casing is mountable in a buoyancy holder to permitsaid casing to float on top of water, said buoyancy holder including anupright wall having a transparent window therein for communicationbetween said control command transmitter and said remote devices.
 6. Amethod of controlling a remote device comprising the steps of: providinga remote control apparatus having a casing, a display screen mountedwithin said casing, a memory storage unit, and a microprocessor; storingsoftware programming from a remote source into said memory storage unit,said software programming corresponding to multiple remote devices to beoperatively controlled by said remote control apparatus; loading saidsoftware programming into said microprocessor to cause a display oftouch screen buttons on said display screen, each of said touch screenbuttons being operable to initiate a command for controlling a functionof at least one of said remote devices, said touch screen buttonsselectively corresponding to one or more of said remote devices; andselecting a control command transmitter including an infra red beamtransmitter and a radio signal transmitter for sending said command tosaid remote apparatus, the selection of said control command transmitterbeing determined by said software programming specific to the selectedsaid remote device and being capable of simultaneous functionality inthat said control command transmitter is operable to transmit saidcommands to multiple remote devices simultaneously via said infra redbeam transmitter and said radio signal transmitter, as well as beingoperable to transmit said commands at multiple radio frequenciescorresponding to multiple said remote devices.
 7. The method of claim 6wherein said method further comprises the steps of: providing a menu onsaid display screen of said multiple remote apparats to permit aselection of one of said remote devices for the display of said touchscreen buttons corresponding thereto on said display screen.
 8. Themethod of claim 6 further comprising the step of: obtaining saidsoftware programming from a connection with a web site corresponding tosaid remote device via a personal computer.
 9. The method of claim 6further comprising the step of: obtaining said software programming froma remote memory storage device loaded into a personal computer.
 10. Themethod of claim 6 further comprising the step of: learning said controlcommands from a remote control device corresponding to said remotedevice.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said learning step includesthe step of transferring control commands through an infra red beamtransmitted by said remote control device and received by an infra redreceiver in said remote control apparatus.
 12. The method of claim 6further comprising the step of: selecting the operative function of eachtouch screen button corresponding to a selected remote device to providea customized control panel of touch screen buttons on said displayscreen.
 13. A universal remote control apparatus for controlling aremote apparatus comprising: a casing having a display screen mountedtherein; a microprocessor housed within said casing to receive andoperate software programming corresponding to said remote apparatus,said microprocessor being operable to display on said display screentouch screen icons corresponding to commands for controlling variousoperative functions of said remote apparatus; a data transfer deviceoperatively coupled to said microprocessor to receive softwareprogramming from a remote source corresponding to said remote apparatus;and a command transmitter mounted in said casing and being cooperablewith said microprocessor to send a command selected by an operatortouching one of said touch screen icons to initiate a control of anoperative function of said remote apparatus, said command transmitterincluding an infra red beam transmitter and a radio signal transmitter,said command transmitter being capable of simultaneous functionalitysuch that said microprocessor is operable to select one of said infrared beam transmitter and said radio signal transmitter according to thesoftware being executed by said microprocessor, as well as transmitcommands via both said infra red beam transmitter and said radio signaltransmitter simultaneously to control multiple remote apparatus.
 14. Theuniversal remote control apparatus of claim 13 wherein said radio signaltransmitter is operable to transmit commands at multiple frequenciessimultaneously via said radio signal transmitter according to thesoftware being executed by said microprocessor to control correspondingmultiple remote apparatus.
 15. The universal remote control apparatus ofclaim 14 wherein said data transfer device is connectable to a personalcomputer by a data transfer cable to load software programming therefrominto said microprocessor.
 16. The universal remote control apparatus ofclaim 15 wherein said personal computer obtains said softwareprogramming from a web site on the Inernet.
 17. The universal remotecontrol apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a memory storage unitto store software programing for multiple remote apparatus, saidmicroprocessor being operable to display a menu of said multiple remoteapparatus to permit said operator to select a remote apparatus to becontrolled.
 18. The universal remote control apparatus of claim 17wherein said universal remote control apparatus is cooperable with adocking cradle having said data transfer cable connected thereto totransfer software programming into said microprocessor.
 19. Theuniversal remote control apparatus of claim 18 further comprising anelectrical power source including rechargeable batteries, said dockingcradle including a power adapter to convert AC electrical current intoDC electrical current for recharging said rechargeable batteries whensaid universal remote control apparatus is received in said dockingcradle.
 20. A handheld remote control apparatus, comprising: (a)hardware comprising, (i) a casing having a display screen mountedtherein, (ii) a microprocessor housed within said casing, (iii) amemory; and (iv) a transmitter assembly including an infra red beamtransmitter and a radio signal transmitter; and (b) software foroperating the remote control apparatus that is stored in said memory andthat is executable by said microprocessor to display on said screen amenu representative of controllable devices that may be wirelesslycontrolled by the remote control apparatus, whereby a user selects fromsaid menu one of said controllable devices for wireless control thereofusing the remote control apparatus; (c) wherein, (i) for each respectiveone of a plurality of controllable devices, said software for operatingthe remote control apparatus is configured to separately load into saidmemory, from a remote source, control programming corresponding to saidrespective controllable device, (A) which respective control programmingis executable by said microprocessor to display on said screen aspecific control panel for wirelessly controlling said respectivecontrollable device, and (B) which respective control programmingdefines a manner in which the remote control apparatus communicates withsaid respective controllable device, including whether the infra redbeam transmitter or the radio signal transmitter is used in sendingcommands to said respective controllable device, and (ii) upon selectionof one of said controllable devices from said menu for which controlprogramming has been loaded into said memory, said software foroperating said remote control apparatus is configured to cause saidmicroprocessor to execute said respective control programming stored insaid memory corresponding to said selected controllable device such thatsaid respective control panel corresponding to said selectedcontrollable device is presented on said display for wirelesslycontrolling said selected controllable device in said manner defined bysaid respective control programming; and (d) wherein said transmitterassembly is capable of simultaneous functionality such that saidmicroprocessor is operable, (i) to select, in accordance with saidrespective control programming being executed by said microprocessor,one of said infra red beam transmitter and said radio signaltransmitter, as well as, (ii) to cause transmitter assembly to transmitcommands via both said infra red beam transmitter and said radio signaltransmitter simultaneously to wirelessly control multiple controllabledevices.
 21. The remote control apparatus of claim 20, wherein saidsoftware for operating the remote control apparatus is configured toenable a user to customize a respective control panel that is displayedon said screen when a said control programming is executed by saidmicroprocessor.
 22. The remote control apparatus of claim 20, whereinsaid display screen comprises a touch screen.
 23. The remote controlapparatus of claim 20, wherein said menu comprises a plurality of icons,each icon corresponding to one of said controllable devices that may bewirelessly controlled by the remote control apparatus.
 24. The remotecontrol apparatus of claim 20, wherein one of the controllable devicescomprises a light.
 25. The remote control apparatus of claim 20, whereinone of the controllable devices comprises a hot tub.
 26. The remotecontrol apparatus of claim 20, wherein one of the controllable devicescomprises a ceiling fan.
 27. The remote control apparatus of claim 20,wherein each respective control panel comprises a graphical userinterface.
 28. The remote control apparatus of claim 20, wherein saidmenu is displayed on said screen upon boot-up of the remote controlapparatus.
 29. The remote control apparatus of claim 20, wherein saidhardware is part of a personal digital assistant (PDA).
 30. The remotecontrol apparatus of claim 20, wherein said software for operating theremote control apparatus is configured to enable a user to togglebetween respective said control panels provided by respective saidcontrol programming.
 31. The remote control apparatus of claim 20,wherein said software for operating the remote control apparatus isconfigured to enable respective said control panels provided byrespective said control programming to be separately displayedsimultaneously on said display screen.
 32. The remote control apparatusof claim 20, wherein said software for operating the remote controlapparatus is configured to enable respective said control panelsprovided by respective said control programming to be separatelydisplayed simultaneously in a split screen.
 33. The remote controlapparatus of claim 20, further comprising a docking-cradle for receivingthe remote control apparatus, said docking cradle including a datatransfer cable to interconnect the remote control apparatus and eachrespective said remote source.
 34. The remote control apparatus of claim20, wherein said software for operating the remote control apparatus isconfigured to separately load into said memory, from an Internetwebsite, control programming corresponding to said respectivecontrollable device.
 35. The remote control apparatus of claim 20,wherein said software for operating the remote control apparatus isconfigured to couple to a personal computer for separately loading intosaid memory, from an Internet website, control programming correspondingto said respective controllable device.
 36. The remote control apparatusof claim 20, wherein said software for operating the remote controlapparatus is configured to couple to a personal computer for separatelyloading into said memory, from a memory storage device loaded into thecomputer, control programming corresponding to said respectivecontrollable device.
 37. The remote control apparatus of claim 20,wherein said software for operating the remote control apparatus isconfigured to couple to a personal computer for separately loading intosaid memory, from a CD loaded into the computer, control programmingcorresponding to said respective controllable device.
 38. The remotecontrol apparatus of claim 20, wherein said software for operating theremote control apparatus is configured to learn control commands from aremote control for a controllable device.
 39. The remote controlapparatus of claim 20, wherein the transmitter assembly is operable toreceive, via a radio signal receiver, confirmation from a controlleddevice of receipt of a command wirelessly communicated by the remotecontrol apparatus to the controlled device.